Liz Weston: RV-Buying Mistakes to Avoid

Recreational vehicle sales are soaring, and the RV industry expects 2021 to be a record-breaking year. Dealerships say much of the demand is coming from first-time buyers and others anxious to find a safer way to vacation during the pandemic.

As any RV owner will tell you, though, buying a motorhome, camper or trailer is a complex process that requires a ton of decisions. The more choices you make, the more opportunities you have to make mistakes, especially when you’re a novice.

We had some great family camping experiences in the motorhome we owned from 2011 to 2017, and we learned a lot. If you’re considering your first RV, these are some of the errors to avoid.

MISTAKE NO. 1: ASSUMING YOU’LL SAVE A LOT OF MONEY ON TRAVEL

If you want to make a motorhome owner laugh, say something silly like, “I bet you save a ton of money on hotels!”

Well, maybe. But new motorhomes typically…